Looking back at mixed year for South Canterbury

NEW RECORD: For the second time in less than a week, shot putter Tom Walsh has reset the New Zealand record.

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The Timaru Herald's sports reporters, Jacob Page and Stu Piddington, reflected on 2013 and came up with their picks of the best and worst.

Sportsperson of the Year Tom Walsh (shot put)

A late charge saw Walsh improve half a metre in the past month.

On December 7 his 20.45m effort saw him eclipse the national record held by Jacko Gill.

Less than a week later, at the Zatopek Classic in Melbourne, Walsh added another 16cm to the record, which surpassed the A-standard for next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and confirms him as a qualifier for the World Indoor Champs in Poland in March.

Big mover Dylan Kennett (cycling)

The 18-year-old has moved seamlessly from the junior to elite cycling ranks.

He has represented New Zealand in World Cups in both the individual and team pursuit and is on track for the Commonwealth Games.

Ones to watch Keanu Darby (bowls)

Timaru Boys' High School's Darby won the New Zealand Secondary Schools singles titles this month and is tipped to have a big future in the sport. He is heading to Otago this year to study.

Leanna Ryan (hurdles)

Roncalli College's Ryan broke the senior hurdles record at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships, which had been held by 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Andrea Millar. Ryan also won a Sir Edmund Hillary scholarship to study at Waikato University.

Team of the Year

Mid-South Canterbury Cycling pursuit team

The team of Dylan Kennett, Marc Ryan, Shane Archbold and Andy van der Heyden smashed the provincial record in 4 minutes 13.227s at the New Zealand Track Cycling Championships. They were on track to go even faster but caught the Southland team in the final.

Biggest disappointment

South Canterbury Rugby Union (on and off the field)

Secured the Lochore Cup but that is for fifth place in a 12-team competition after a slow start to the competition. Size and resources mean we should do better. Debacles over a chief executive and appointment process of Heartland coach didn't help.

Also still awaiting outcome of alleged rape investigation in Whanganui.

Dream chaser Geraldine's Hayden Paddon got his first drive in the full World Rally Championship. It was 12 years after he first appeared in the Herald telling readers that his ultimate goal was to compete with the stars of the sport. Watch this space.

Off the radar but worth noting Midfielder Pelatia Schwartfeger's made the Mainland Pride women's football team, playing in the national league. The 18-year-old was the first from South Canterbury to play for the red and blacks.

Big year in 2014

The Commonwealth Games will appear large on many sports calendars.

South Canterbury should have three cyclists, Marc Ryan, Dylan Kennett and Shane Archbold, in the mix.

The South Canterbury sevens side will need only to beat Mid Canterbury to qualify for the national tournament but coach Gareth Burgess is also hoping to knock off one of the big guns. (Unfortunately they never won a game.)